1 officer killed, 2 wounded near La. casino NEW ORLEANS (AP) — Police on Saturday arrested a man suspected of fatally shooting a police officer and critically wounding two sheriff’s deputies after allegedly setting fire to a mobile home in south Louisiana, where an elderly man’s body was found. A Chitimacha tribal officer was pronounced dead at the scene of the shootings in Charenton, while two St. Mary Parish sheriff’s deputies were critically wounded and taken to local hospitals, said...

Do penalties for smokers and the obese make sense? NEW YORK (AP) — Faced with the high cost of caring for smokers and overeaters, experts say society must grapple with a blunt question: Instead of trying to penalize them and change their ways, why not just let these health sinners die prematurely from their unhealthy habits? Annual health care costs are roughly $96 billion for smokers and $147 billion for the obese, the government says. These costs accompany sometimes heroic attempts to prolon...

Harkin won’t seek 6th Senate term CUMMING, Iowa (AP) — U.S. Sen. Tom Harkin said Saturday he will not seek a sixth term in 2014, a decision that eases some of the burden the national Republican Party faces in retaking the Senate. Harkin, chairman of an influential Senate committee, announced his decision during an interview with The Associated Press, saying the move could surprise some. The 73-year-old cited his age — he would be 81 at the end of a sixth term — as a factor in ...

Ryan says GOP needs to pick its fights with Obama WASHINGTON (AP) — Rep. Paul Ryan has a message for fellow Republicans: Let’s stick together and carefully pick our fights with President Barack Obama. In a speech Saturday to conservatives, the Wisconsin congressman and 2012 vice presidential nominee outlined a pragmatic approach for dealing with a second Obama administration. Saying that Obama would attempt to divide Republicans, Ryan urged them to avoid internal squabbles. “We can’t get ratt...

Trying to unlock secrets of dead serial killer ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) — The suspect, hands and feet shackled, fidgeted in his chair, chuckling at times as he confessed to a brutal killing. Israel Keyes showed no remorse as he described in merciless detail how he’d abducted and strangled an 18-year-old woman, then demanded ransom, pretending she was alive. As the two prosecutors questioned him, they were struck by his demeanor: He seemed pumped up, as if he were reliving the crime. His body...

Thousands march for gun control in WashingtonWASHINGTON (AP) — Thousands of people, many holding signs with names of gun violence victims and messages such as “Ban Assault Weapons Now,” joined a rally for gun control on Saturday, marching from the Capitol to the Washington Monument. Leading the crowd were marchers with “We Are Sandy Hook” signs, paying tribute to victims of the December school shooting in Newtown, Conn. Washington Mayor Vincent Gray and other city officials marched along...

Disney says JJ Abrams to direct next 'Star Wars'LOS ANGELES (AP) — It's official. The force is with J.J. Abrams. The Walt Disney Co. issued a statement Friday night confirming reports that had been circulating for two days that Abrams, Emmy-award-winning creator of TV's "Lost" and director of 2009's "Star Trek" movie, has been pegged to direct the seventh installment of the "Star Wars" franchise. "J.J. is the perfect director to helm this," said Kathleen Kennedy, the movie's producer and pr...

Abortion opponents march in Washington WASHINGTON (AP) — Anti-abortion demonstrators from around the country marched through Washington to the steps of the U.S. Supreme Court on Friday to protest a landmark court decision that legalized abortion. The annual event took on added significance for many in the crowd because this year marks the 40th anniversary of Roe v. Wade, the Supreme Court decision that created a constitutional right to abortion in some circumstances. The demonstrat...

Court says Obama appointments violate constitution WASHINGTON (AP) — President Barack Obama violated the Constitution when he bypassed the Senate last year to appoint three members of the National Labor Relations Board, a federal appeals court ruled Friday in a far-reaching decision that could severely limit a chief executive’s powers to make recess appointments. The decision of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit marked a victory for Republicans and business groups critical of the ...

Secret hearings in case of Chandra Levy slaying WASHINGTON (AP) — A judge has been holding secret hearings in the case of the man convicted in the 2001 killing of Chandra Levy, the latest twist in a high-profile murder that went unsolved for years and captivated the public because of the intern’s romantic relationship with a California congressman. The meetings, held sporadically behind closed doors at the courthouse over the last several weeks, raise questions about what comes next in a cr...

Slain NM family remembered during crowded service ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — The waves of emotion brought tears, laughs and prayerful reflection Friday as more than 2,000 people gathered to remember five members of a New Mexico family gunned down in their home last weekend. Following a police escort, fellow chaplains and members of the Albuquerque Fire Department lined the procession for the memorial service held at one of the city’s largest churches. Bagpipes played and the urns of former past...

Maze of gun laws in US hurts gun control efforts WASHINGTON (AP) — Military-style assault weapons, gangster-style Tommy guns, World War II-era bazookas and even sawed-off shotguns — somewhere in the U.S., there is a legal avenue to get each of those firearms and more. This is thanks to the maze of gun statutes around the country and the lack of a minimum federal standard to raise the bar for gun control in states with weak laws. An Associated Press analysis found that there are thousands of ...

Penn State says Sandusky settlements appear close HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — Penn State’s negotiator for civil claims involving former assistant football coach Jerry Sandusky said Friday the school has been in talks with 28 people and settlement discussions with some claimants could soon produce results. The number of claimants is 18 more than were involved in Sandusky’s criminal case this summer, when eight young men testified they were assaulted by Sandusky. Prosecutors were not able to identif...

Schools must provide sports for disabled, US says WASHINGTON (AP) — Students with disabilities must be given a fair shot to play on a traditional sports team or have their own leagues, the Education Department says. Disabled students who want to play for their school could join traditional teams if officials can make “reasonable modifications” to accommodate them. If those adjustments would fundamentally alter a sport or give the student an advantage, the department is directing the school to...

Exxon passes Apple as most valuable company NEW YORK (AP) — Exxon has once again surpassed Apple as the world’s most valuable company after the iPhone and iPad maker saw its stock price falter. Apple Inc.’s stock has been on the decline since the company’s quarterly earnings report Wednesday suggested that its fast growth phase, rare for a company of its size, may be coming to an end. Apple’s stock fell 2.4 percent to close Friday at $439.88 for a market capitalization of $413 billion. ...

Aide: Clinton wearing glasses due to concussion WASHINGTON (AP) — Hillary Rodham Clinton’s thick-framed glasses aren’t just a style statement. Spokesman Philippe Reines says the secretary of state will be wearing the glasses instead of contacts for a period of time because of lingering issues stemming from a concussion she suffered in December. The dark glasses with rectangular lenses have been conspicuously present since Clinton returned to work this month. Reines gave no details on what t...

NY dad forgets baby in car for 8 hours on cold day COLONIE, N.Y. (AP) — Authorities say a New York man who left his 1-year-old son in his car for eight hours in frigid weather only realized his mistake after a call from his wife. Police in the Albany suburb of Colonie say the man forgot to drop off his son at day care and left the child strapped in the back seat of the car when he parked outside his office Thursday morning. Officials say the man received a call from his wife at about 4 p.m. in...

10 Things to Know for Friday, Jan. 25, 2013Your daily look at late-breaking news, upcoming events and the stories that will be talked about Friday: 1. HOW WOMEN CAN QUALIFY FOR COMBAT Under the military's new rules, they'll have to meet the same physical requirements as men. 2. WHAT'S NEEDED TO PASS GUN CONTROL The public must get behind the effort, says Democratic Sen. Dianne Feinstein, because "this is really an uphill road." 3. ABBAS SEES AN OPENING He invites newly elected Israeli ...

10 Things to Know for Thursday, Jan. 24, 2013Your daily look at late-breaking news, upcoming events and the stories that will be talked about today: 1. WHAT WOMEN ON THE FRONT LINE CAN'T DO The Pentagon will lift a ban Thursday for women in combat, but could make exceptions for positions such as the Navy SEALS. 2. CLINTON FIERCELY DEFENDS US HANDLING OF BENGHAZI In often-combative testimony, she rejected senators' suggestions that the administration tried to mislead the country about the...

Kerry tackles questions on Iran, Syria, Hagel WASHINGTON (AP) — Sen. John Kerry, President Barack Obama’s nominee for secretary of state, collected pledges of support Thursday and testified at his confirmation hearing that U.S. foreign policy should be defined by a helping hand as well as military strength. The Massachusetts Democrat discussed Iran, Syria, climate change and a variety of issues with members of the Foreign Relations Committee at a hearing that recalled an unusual American ...